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A28
life
Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt May 24, 2015
THE LAING GROUP OF COMPANIES
VACANCIES FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:
o TRAILER TRUCK DRIVERS CLASS 5
o HIAB OPERATORS CLASS 4 & 5
o FORKLIFT OPERATORS
o LORRYMEN
o BANKSMEN
o RIGGERS
o LABOURERS
o AUTO DIESEL MECHANICS
o AUTO ELECTRICIANS
o AUTO AIR CONDITION TECHNICIANS
o HYDRAULIC TECHNICIANS
o ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
o GRAPHIC ARTIST
o WAREHOUSE AND STORES ASSISTANT
Pl
or mail to
0522077
For many women, breast health
includes many common concerns such
as breast lumps, breast pain and the
most important, breast cancer.
Added to which, there are so many
"old wives' tales" as to the reasoning
for these occurrences. Today, we want
to engage in a bit of a myth-busting
exercise to improve your breast health
awareness.
No 1: Underwire bras
cause breast cancer
This myth is based on an old theory
that an underwire bra would reduce
lymphatic drainage and increase breast
cancer risk. There remains no com-
pelling evidence to prove this theory.
In September 2014, a study published
by Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers
and Prevention, which employed rig-
orous scientific research designs to
investigate whether bra habits could
affect breast cancer risk in post-
menopausal women, concluded that
there was no evidence linking bras to
breast cancer. However, we do recom-
mend that women access a good bra
fitting to ensure that you are wearing
the correct bra size as this can potentially
contribute to symptoms such as breast
tenderness.
No 2: Antiperspirants
cause breast cancer
There remains no convincingly strong
evidence to support the theory that
antiperspirants increase one's risk of
developing breast cancer.
It has been purported that this theory
is derived from two points:
Parabens. These chemical preser-
vatives are used in some antiperspirants
and some other products. They may
increase oestrogen levels, which is linked
to breast cancer risk. But there is "no
decisive link." It is therefore imperative
that you carefully check ingredient labels
if you are concerned. Look for the ingre-
dients methylparaben, propylparaben,
butylparaben or benzylparaben.
However, most brands no longer
include these ingredients.
Mammogram preparation. Antiper-
spirants contain some aluminum which
may show up on mammograms as a
false-positive result. One thing that is
important for women to know is that
when you go for your mammograms
you shouldn't wear antiperspirants.
Moreover, the National Cancer Insti-
tute does not advise limiting the use of
antiperspirants, but concur that more
research is needed on this topic.
No 3: Radiation from screening tests
causes cancer
Although mammograms do give off
a small amount of radiation, the radi-
ation dose in a mammogram is less than
in a standard chest X-ray. It is such a
low level that it wouldn't increase breast
cancer risk. It is also useful to note that
other breast imaging such as MRIs
(magnetic resonance imaging) and ultra-
sounds, which may also be used to
screen for breast cancer, contain no
radiation at all.
No 4: Exposure to air
causes cancer to spread
Many women avoid having further
testing for fear of this commonly
heard myth. By having a biopsy or
surgical removal of a lump, thus
exposing it to air, causes the cancer
to spread. This is absolutely
unfounded and false.
Remember it already is in your
body and has blood flowing
through it passing to other parts
of your body. Patients are naturally
worried because cancer does have
the potential to spread (called
metastasis), but it is not caused by
your cancer surgeon cutting into
a tumour for a biopsy or to remove
the lump.
No 5: Breast cancer occurs only
in older women
It is a fact that increasing age is
a risk factor for breast cancer, so
the older you are the more likely
you are to get breast cancer.
However, that doesn't mean
younger women aren't vulnerable.
Breast cancer can be diagnosed at
any age. In fact, it tends to be more
aggressive in younger women. This
therefore emphasises the impor-
tance of comprehensive accurate
breast screening and being breast
aware. As a result, breast health
begins with breast awareness or a
familiarity of what's normal for
your breasts.
To promote breast health it's
worth considering doing regular
breast self-exams. I'm frequently
told by patients, I don't know if
I'm doing right.'
The reality is that we would
appreciate that you do it routine-
ly---in so doing, familiarity is
achieved and understanding what's
normal for you develops.
With practice you'll realise how
your breasts vary in sensitivity and
texture at different times during
your menstrual cycle. As they say,
practice makes perfect!
No 6: Plastic surgery causes
breast cancer
The good news for women who
want to enhance or reduce their
breast size is that there is no link
between breast plastic surgery and
increased breast cancer risk.
Additionally, it is commonly
thought that implants can make
mammograms more difficult. On
the contrary, implants placed sub
muscularly allow for better visu-
alisation of the breast tissue and
ease of breast self-examination,
but they do not make cancer more
likely.
Furthermore, women who have
breast reduction surgery may actu-
ally see a decrease in breast cancer
risk.
Getting a breast reduction can
reduce your risk of breast cancer
by about 60 per cent, depending
on how much breast tissue is
removed.
Now you are equipped with
these facts, not myths, be sure to
share them with your friends and
relatives.
Avril Harry RN, BSc Oncology
Nursing
Breast Care Nurse/Genetic Risk
Co-ordinator
Pink Hibiscus Breast Health Spe-
cialists
5 Adam Smith Square,
Woodbrook
1 868-627-1010 www.pinkhibis-
custt.com
email: avrilharry@pinkhibiscustt.com
Breast health: Thinking out loud!